Articulated structure



Filed Nov. 27, 1951 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS r ,7 2,751,634 Patented June 26, 1956 ARTICULATED STRUCTURE Nathaniel W. Washington, Ephrata, Wash.

Appiiention November 27, 1951, Serial No. 258,386

'1 Claim. (Cl. 200.5)

My invention relates to an articulated structure.

More particularly, my invention relates to a plurality of block-like members pivotally connected together, whereby different designs or structures may be formed.

It is a primary object of my invention to provide an articulated structure which may be employed as an educational toy in providing a form means by which the imagination of children may be expressed. In this regard the invention aims to provide such a structure in which the individual members can be easily and readily manipulated to form animal-like, bird-like, or other shapes, and building toys such as beam-like members, and yet will collectively retain for a desired period the manipulated form.

The above-mentioned general objects of my invention, together with others inherent in the same, are attained by the device illustrated in the following drawings, throughout which like reference numerals indicate like parts:

Figure l is a view in perspective of the device embodying my invention wherein the blocks are of a flattened semi-circular form and form which may be manipulated into a trussed beam;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is a view in cross-section taken on line 33 of Fig. 1 through the pivotal connection;

Fig. 4 is a modified form of my invention wherein a plurality of the interconnecting block members forming a group are pivotally connected together on a single pin;

Fig. 5 is a view in perspective of my invention reverse upon itself to form a beam;

Fig. 6 is a view of a connector means, commonly called a harness rivet, which may be employed as a connector means for the blocks of my invention;

Fig. 7 is a view in perspective of my invention manipulated into a bird-like design;

Fig. 8 is a view in elevation of my invention manipulated into an animal-like design.

Referring to Fig. 1, an individual block-like member 21 is interposed as respects one end portion between paired block-like members 22 and 23 and likewise, as respects the other end portion between paired block-like members 24 and 25. Each of these block-like members has a base margin merging with a top margin of a flattened arc form making each member quite long by comparison with its width, these base and top margins being denoted in the drawings by the sufi'ixes a and b, respectively. Individual block-like member 21 thus pivotally and overlappingly interconnects paired block-like members 22 and 23 forming a group and paired block-like members 24 and 25 forming another row by reason of pin or rod-like connector means 26, which passes through the hole 27 in the paired block-like members 22 and 23, and also through a similar hole 28 in individual overlapping interlocking block-like member 21 (see Fig. 3). A similar pin or rod-like connector means passes through hole 29 in paired block-like members 24 and 25 and also through registering hole in interconnecting block-like member 21. Thus, block 22 and block 24 are in spaced relation and successively disposed in one row when horizontally disposed with their longitudinal axes in a com-- mon vertical plane forming a series. Likewise, the center block members 21 are in a row parallel with said first row and disposed in spaced relation successively with their longitudinal axes in a common vertical plane and so form a series parallel with the other series.

It will be understood that my invention is not limited to any particular number of interconnected block members, but can be composed of such number of individual members as may be required depending upon the complexities and size of the shape or design desired to be formed with the articulated structure.

Likewise, the blocks may be of various forms. The illustrated preferred form of the block peculiarly lends itself in an articulated structure to being folded back upon itself to cause the edge faces to bear upon other blocks of the structure and, when required by the particular design, to nestle between blocks of adjacent series. As shown in Fig. 4 the number of blocks interconnected by a single connector pin 260 can be increased so that a pair of connector blocks 21, 21d serve as connector members for group 22, 23, 23a! and group 24, 25, 25d.

In Fig. 7 my invention is manipulated into the design of a bird. Block 21 is revolved on connector rod 26 and is frictionally held by the contacting portions. Thus blocks 24 and 25 are held in superimposed position with their edge faces 24a and 25a bearing on faces 22a and 23a. The frictional contact is suflicient to hold the blocks (pairs or single) at desired angles relative each other. As a further example in Fig. 8 the blocks are shown manipulated into the form of a dog.

The curved top portion of a connecting member, like 21, may be folded back and pressed between paired members, such as 24 and 25. In other words, not only is the frictional surface of 21 about the overlapping contact area surrounding the pins available to help make the various figures, but also the said upper portion of the interconnecting members, like 21, may be used and pressed down between paired members to form desired design. Clearly, this folding back feature is most important and essential in my invention. Thus, it is seen that the illustrated form of block is especially welladapted for use in the articulated structure of my invention as it so well provides for the folding back of blocks disposed later in the series upon those earlier in the series.

In Fig. 5, the articulated structure of Fig. 1 is shown reversed upon itself to form a beam with the blocks of one series nestling between the blocks of adjacent series. When it is desired to form a floating mechanism the block members could be hollow as shown in the cut-out portion 30 or could be made of wood so as to provide the necessary buoyancy.

In Fig. 6 the view of a modified form of connector suitable in forming the pivotal pin for my invention is illustrated in the form of a harness rivet. This rivet has a main shank 126 engageable with a cap member 127. The end portions 128 of the shank 126 may be driven into the recess formed by the bent-over portion 129 of the perimeter portion of the cap 127. The cap 127 is provided with inclined inner wall 139 which serves to direct the end portion 128 of the shank 126 into the said recess within the curved portion 129. Thus is illustrated a convenient form of pin means well-adapted for developing frictional bearing between the end portions of the connected blocks 22, 21 and 23.

The mode of operation of my invention is set forth above with the construction description.

The articulated structure of my invention is characterized by the feature of folding back upon itself the edge faces of the blocks forming bearing faces for relative support, and also by the feature that the blocks of a series may be folded back upon themselves to be disposed in an interfitting and reinforcing position with blocks of a given series as well as those of adjacent series. 1

The material composingthe blocks when used for toy may be made of any suitable material, but preferably of highly compressible material including fabricated compressed cellulose fibers, the surface of which is relatively rough and provides friction for all contacting points or faces of the material. On the other hand, the blocks may be made of wood or rubber and be relatively hard or have little, if any, compressibility.

In all forms of the invention it is an inherent characteristic that the blocks retain their manipulated shape. This characteristic may be provided either by the compressible character of the material as just set'forth, or it may be provided by the connector pins being of a character to provide for resilient frictional engagement of the block members. combining both the said type of material with said type of connector pin or by tightness of assembly or locking plus.

The device of my invention when sold as a toy may be Also, the characteristic may be provided by 20 dispensed in assembled form or as a package of unas- 25 sembled blocks thereby affording opportunity for a child to develop his constructive ability in assembling the toy.

I claim: In a toy, a chain of articulating links having a single said link alternating with pairs of said links and characterized in that all of said links are correspondingly shaped to each define, in plan, an oblong figure bordered by a base margin and a generally arcuate top margin with the are which forms the top margin being fairly fiat so that the figure is quite long by comparison with its width, each articulation comprising a connecting pin located in such close proximity to the adjacent end limit of the concerned link that the nose extremity of said link projects to little or no degree'beyond the marginal limits of an articulating link or links when the articulating links are swingably moved one in relation to the other, the connections made by such pins being such as to create,

between the pivoted nose of each single said link and the noses of the paired links which connect therewith, a sufiicient friction to yieldingly hold the links of the chain in any position in which the same may be placed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Switzerland May 18, 1948 

